Denmark announced plans to deploy unarmed military personnel to Ukraine to learn drone warfare tactics, marking a notable shift in Western military engagement with the ongoing conflict.
Major General Peter Boysen, Denmark's commander in chief, revealed that Danish troops will attend specialized training courses in Western Ukraine, focusing on gaining firsthand experience with drone operations. The courses, lasting one to two weeks, could begin as early as summer 2025.
"We're sending teams to gain firsthand experience of what Ukrainians have learned," Boysen told state broadcaster TV 2, noting that attack drones now account for over 70% of Ukrainian strikes against Russian forces.
The announcement drew sharp criticism from Russia. Vladimir Barbin, Russia's ambassador to Denmark, called the move provocative and warned that military facilities, including training centers throughout Ukrainian territory, would be considered "legitimate targets" for Russian forces.
Addressing safety concerns, Boysen emphasized that Danish personnel would operate far from combat zones at training centers in western Ukraine. He cited Ukraine's robust air raid warning systems and shelter infrastructure as key safety measures.
The initiative follows Ukraine's emergence as a global leader in drone warfare innovation. With over 96% of its 1.5 million drones being domestically produced, Ukraine has developed extensive expertise in tactical deployment and countermeasures.
Denmark, already the second-largest provider of aid to Ukraine relative to GDP, sees this training program as an opportunity to modernize its military capabilities. The Danish military leadership believes learning from Ukraine's real combat experience is invaluable for future defense preparedness.
While the exact number of troops to be deployed remains undecided, Boysen confirmed that participation would be mandatory if ordered, though he expressed confidence in soldiers' willingness to attend these specialized courses.